A previous conviction enhanced a new charge against a Brazos River Acres resident to a felony offense after he slapped his girlfriend and pulled her hair, according to Hood County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Johnny Rose.

Richard Lee Simmons, 53, of the 3300 block of Frontier Trail, was already in the Hood County Jail accused of violating a protective order when authorities filed the family violence charge.

Deputies were called to an address on Wagon Trail, also in Brazos River Acres, on Oct. 29, when “Simmons assaulted his girlfriend by slapping and pulling her hair,” Rose said. “It was later documented Simmons had a previous conviction for family violence assault.”